September 11, 2009, Nashville, TN., 6:35 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Ronee' Le-Anne here.  

Eight years ago today, America was attacked.  Because of hate, nearly 3,000 people were killed.  Twin towers no longer grace New York City's skyline.  The Pentagon lies vulnerable; it isn't as impenetrable as once thought.  And Americans don't trust anybody anymore, particularly those who are of Arab descent, or anyone who is dark-skinned (like yours truly).

 We have since become complacent.  We think this won't happen again; we've seemed to have forgotten what happened and think that we can get back to our old lives prior to the attacks. 

When Americans were once caring, loving, and compassionate after the attack, we've seemed to have let the wool cover our eyes, and we've become involved in our own lives once again.

It's been eight years; however, my sleep is still laced with nightmares, the memories, from time to time, and I wake up, gasping for breath and sweating.  While I didn't lose anyone in the attacks (thank God!), I do know people who did, so in a way, I was affected. 

We all were affected.  Nobody was left untouched.

I was only eight years old then, just a little girl; I still remember my teacher coming in, crying, and telling us that the twin towers in New York City had just been attacked and were now on fire.  I will never forget the sheer helplessness I felt.  I immediately began crying and praying for the people in those buildings, praying that they'd get out safely. 

It wasn't to be because later, the twin towers fell upon themselves, killing whoever still might have been inside--or at least entombing them under mounds of rubble.

Some people were found alive, which was a miracle in inself; the majority, however, perished.

I often wonder how people like M'Buti Moore-Sormiento, M'Kaya Jefferson, or Mr. and Mrs.  Greene go about their days.  Each lost loved ones or friends in the attacks; the memories they must feel on this day must be horrendous. 

I shall say some special prayers for them, asking God to give them a sense of peace or comfort that passes all understanding, and to ease their troubled hearts.

I still can't watch the tapes of the attacks (or the twin towers falling) without getting physically sick to my stomach.  I can't imagine that some people would be so nasty to hate like that; they would do anything to bring their sick agenda to others, as a way of making their point known. 

All I can do is shake my head, pray, and wonder one thing:  "Why??"

I feel not only a sense of sadness in my spirit as I remember:  I also feel some anger, anger towards those who did this to our country, and also frustration because the mastermind of the whole thing, Osama bin Laden, is still out there, somewhere, hiding like the coward he truly is, and nothing is being done to locate him or to bring him to justice.

I know we are now at war as a result of this event; however, I don't see anything worth bragging about.  The enemy is still up to its old tricks, using their own people as human bombs, killing innocent lives, while our soldiers are being charged with murder or war crimes whenever they kill the enemy.  It doesn't really make sense.  And thousands of families grieve the loss of loved ones in battle.

Or we call our brave men and women murderers and spit in their faces or do other terrible things to them.

So we haven't really accomplished anything as the result of this war on terror; it is at times like this when I feel ashamed to be called an American.

Today is a day where all of us should reflect, pause, and remember; if we forget, it would be unforgivable in my eyes.  It has often been said that "if we forget, we are doomed to repeat history".  And we very well could:  we were already attacked once; we could very well easily be attacked again if we don't take the necessary steps to protect our country or our people.

This is why we need to be vigilent and ever watchful of anyone who comes to our shores; you just might never know:  a future terrorist just might be plotting of ways to attack America (or Americans) when we least expect it.

Another September 11, 2001, all over again.  And it just might be much worse than the first time (as if the first time wasn't already bad enough!).

Today, our city is having a memorial service to remember those who died, and to pay homage to our military as well as our city's firefighters, paramedic/EMTs, volunteers, and police force.  There will be speeches, the reading of the victims' names (and the tolling of bells after each name has been read), the honoring of our city's finest as well as our military forces, and special music. 

I will be singing two songs:  "God Bless America Again" and "It Is Well With My Soul", as a way to give people a sense of hope and encouragement.

Well, I have to go.  Bus is due to come in a few minutes; I'd best be ready when the driver knocks on the door to get me.  I will write in here again; until then, this is Ronee' saying so long and God bless! 

May we never forget what happened eight years ago; I won't.  I can't.  To do so would be foolhardy.  So I must force myself to think back and pray for those families who were most affected.

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux.  :(  *tears*